Degania Bet Kibbutz Country Lodging

Zwei Nächte habe ich hier in einem Gästezimmer übernachtet. Die Einrichtung ist schlicht, aber nicht schlechter als in einem Hotelzimmer und viiiel besser als erwartet. Es gibt eine Tee-/Kaffeeküche. Das Bad und das Zimmer waren sehr sauber. Einzig, ich hatte zu tun, mein Zimmer auf einigermaßen bewohnbare Temperatur zu bekommen, da es außerhalb noch sehr kalt war. Aber die Klimaanlage hat es geschafft - wenn auch erst nach Stunden. Frühstück und Abendessen wurden in dem großen Speisesaal der Bewohner eingenommen und in Buffetform angerichtet. Die Speisen waren divers und typisch israelisch. Der Speisesaal erinnert freilich an eine große Bahnhofskantine ohne Gemütlichkeit. Dies gehört hier dazu und habe ich erwartet. Das Gelände des Kibbutz ist allgemein begehbar, ich habe mir die Ställe und Landwirtschaftlichen Anlagen ohne weiteres ansehen können. Die Freundlichkeit der Bewohner ist gedämpft (auch in der Kantine) - naja, wer lässt sich schon gern von Fremden in sein Zuhause gucken. Abends war ich in einer kleinen Kneipe auf dem Gelände - alles einfach, aber lustig. Alles in allem war es ein interessantes Erlebnis, hab mich gut in den Spirit aus Gründungszeiten einfühlen können, wenn davon auch nicht mehr so viel übrig ist. Es lohnt auf jeden Fall einen Besuch.

Facilities at Degania Bet were just ok; but their front office was unreasonable, confrontational, and acted in violation of the letter and spirit of Israel’s taxing law. Israel collects a room tax that Israeli citizens pay for a room they book; it’s by the room, not by the person.  But Degania Bet did an end-run around Israel’s system by insisting that the Israeli will pay the room tax, in a room that was booked by an American citizen. In the SAME room, one person paid the full 17% tax and one didn't! Degania Bet fought us over this at rock-concert volume for quite some time during check-in and again at checkout. After we left, they canceled my reservation with Booking so I won't be able to post this review on the Booking site! Furthermore they’ve “Declined” my credit card AFTER the charges went through 5 days prior to my arrival only so I could not prove to Booking that I was there. Booking can’t do anything since the booking was “canceled” and my credit card was “declined” after they got their money. I’ve never encountered such an outrageous effort to circumvent a country’s taxing law, and cover their tracks in a fraudulent way, by an avaricious host.  I’ll never stay there again and don’t suggest anyone else support highway robbery.  Degania Bet, being in the hospitality industry, needs to follow the rules of that industry and treat guests honestly. On the positive side, the surrounding is beautiful!

Overall this is an interesting set up for a hotel - located on one of the oldest Kibbutzs in Israel right by the Sea of Galilee and a lot of holy sites. The staff are very friendly and the green areas around the room are great. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because I found the beds very hard. Maybe others wouldn't have this issue.

Wonderful place to be and to spend time with family and friends. We stayed in the new renovated rooms (you must insist on them) and enjoined them and the surrounding area. We had a good dinner and breakfast in the dining room. We will come back again.

This place tax from tourists!!! This is completely illegal!!! They treated us like we are criminals if we don't pay. We got really bad treatment. The facility itself is very old. The area itself is beautiful. The swimming pool is far. Breakfast is very average.